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Big splash to start swimming season
- Updated: 12 September 2016

Nearly 150 swimmers plunged into the waters off Governors Beach for the 32nd Annual Foster’s Food Fair 800m Sea Swim on Saturday, 10 September.
For many, it was the first chance to compete against their peers after the summer break in competition, while others saw it as a chance to be part of a group or family activity. Added to the fun was the addition of a 400m swim for younger children who would not have been able to cope with the longer distance in the open water.
“It’s actually very promising,” said Michael Lockwood, president of the Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association (CIASA), of the turnout.
“We don’t usually get all the way up to nearly 150 people. We had 143 today overall. It’s good to see the community come out and I think that is partially to do with us putting in the 400-metre swim for the younger kids to encourage more participation.”
Crossing the finish line first was Stingray Swim Club’s John Bodden in 11 minutes. “I was trying to go for first and that’s what happened,” he told CaymanSportsBuzz.com as he returned to dry land.
“It’s a great encouragement boost but I think that I’m already ahead of what I would have been last year, so I think this year will be good,” said Bodden, who won an open water gold medal for the Cayman Islands at the last CARIFTA Swimming Championships in March.
Following him to the finish were Jonathan Key, Zachary Moore and Alexander McCallum. Ria Plunkett, a CARIFTA open water bronze medalist, swam in the Girls 13-14 age group and was the first-placed female finisher, coming home seventh overall.
“My performance was okay. I’ve done better in other sea swims but today was good considering where I am in the season,” Plunkett said, as she got her mind focused on the season ahead.
“My plans are to try and do my best and get as many PBs because last season, I did well but I want to do better so I can go further and go to CARIFTA and maybe make [the] Island Games [team].”
Lockwood, who finished 25th overall, said events like the Foster’s Food Fair 800m Sea Swim are great not only for the competitive swimmers but for others as well.
“It’s good for community building and it helps people to understand the importance of not only swimming competitively but knowing how to swim as a life skill. It’s something that a person living on an island should know how to do and this is a great way for us to try and promote that,” he said.
The CIASA president was full of praise for the family-owned supermarket chain for supporting the event for more than three decades.
“We’re very happy to have that relationship with Foster’s continue for 32 years. This is our second longest-running swim other than the Pirates Week 5K, which is now in its 36th year. We’re very happy that the Fosters have continued to work with us all these years,” he said.
The next open water swims on the CIASA calendar are the 28th annual CUC 800m swim on 8 October and then the Pirates Week 5K sponsored by KPMG on 12 November.
Top finishers in all age divisions:
Boys 8 and under
1st: Phin Ellison
2nd: Luke Dodson
Girls 8 and under
1st: Allie Capasso
2nd: Abi Anderson
Boys 9-10:
1st: Harry Bishop
2nd: Nathan Suitor
Girls 9-10
1st: Gabriella Royston
2nd: McKenzie Pearson
3rd: Kathryn Lambert-Wragg
Boys 11-12
1st: Finn Bishop
2nd: Corey Westerborg
3rd: Stefano Bonati
Girls 11-12
1st: Stephanie Royston
2nd: Avery Lambert
3rd: Jasmine Lambert-Wragg
Boys 13-14
1st: Zachary Moore
2nd: Jake Bailey
3rd: Jordan Crooks
Girls 13-14
1st: Ria Plunkett
2nd: Elana Sinclair
3rd: Audrey Weber
Boys 15-19
1st: John Bodden
2nd: Jonathan Key
3rd: Liam Henry
Girls 15-19
1st: Sarah Jackson
2nd: Stephanie Boothe
3rd: Sam Bailey
Men 20-29
1st: Alexander McCallum
2nd: Michael Lockwood
3rd: Harrison Foster
Women 20-29
1st: Jennifer Harding Marlin
2nd: Myriam Plante
3rd: Stacie Suberswan
Men 30-39
1st: Stuart Bray
2nd: Dave Bott
3rd: Shane Donovan
Women 30-39
1st: Andrea Higgo
2nd: Veronique Poirier
3rd: Sian Hawkes
Men 40-49
1st: Adrien Royston
2nd: Alex Harling
3rd: Johann Prinsloo
Women 40-49
1st: Lee-Ann Corin
2nd: Donna Graham
3rd: Monica Watler
Men 50-59
1st: Kevin Drysdale
2nd: Brian Balleine
3rd: Shane Foster
Women 50-59
1st: Joan Medland
2nd: Jackie Hickey
Men 60 and over
1st: Wayne Hannum
2nd: Victor Thompson
3rd: Frankie Flowers
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